Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe
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| Born | about 1550 |
| Other names | Black Taylor of the Axe (Gaelic: Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe) |
| Known for | Chieftain of the Taylor sept of Clan Cameron |
Donald Cameron, born around 1550, was a famous warrior from the Scottish Highlands. He lived during the time of Mary, Queen of Scots. People knew him as the Black Taylor of the Axe (in Scottish Gaelic, Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe). His father was Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, who was the 14th chief of Clan Cameron. His mother was the daughter of the chief of Clan MacDougall. Donald is seen as the ancestor of the Taylor sept (a family group) within Clan Cameron. You can even see a picture of him on the coat of arms of the Clan Cameron chief. He is shown as one of the supporters holding a special weapon called a Lochaber axe.
His Early Life
After Donald was born, his father, Ewen, kept him. Donald was cared for by a tailor's wife in Lundavra, a place in Lochaber (which was "Cameron country"). As a baby, Donald got the nickname An Taillear Dubh. An means "a little," Taillear refers to the tailor who cared for him, and Dubh means "black." This "black" likely meant he had dark hair or a strong temper.
Ewen, Donald's father, died in 1553 while he was a prisoner. He was being held by the chief of Clan MacDougall. Ewen was supposed to marry the MacDougall chief's daughter. Because Ewen was not married when he died, Donald could not inherit his father's title or lands. The title of 15th chief of Clan Cameron went to Ewen's younger brother, Donald Cameron of Lochiel. Also, Mary, Queen of Scots was not happy with Ewen's fighting. So, she gave all of Ewen's lands to George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly.
Becoming a Warrior
Donald grew up with the Corunan MacLachlans. They were an old family group connected to the MacLachlans. They were also the traditional flag-bearers for Cameron of Lochiel. Corunan was located between Fort William and Corran in Lochaber. Here, Donald became very skilled with the Lochaber axe, a fighting weapon used by the Camerons.
The 15th chief of Clan Cameron died in 1569 without children. His younger brother, John, would have been the next chief, but he had recently died too. So, John's baby son, Allan Cameron of Lochiel (born 1567 or 1568), became the 16th chief of Clan Cameron.
Around 1570, the Camerons fought against their main rivals, Clan Mackintosh, in the Battle of Bun Garbhain. In this battle, Donald became a hero for the Camerons. He used his Lochaber axe to defeat the 15th chief of Clan Mackintosh. This brave act earned Donald his famous nickname, Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe.
When Donald brought news of this battle to Allan's family, Allan's mother became very angry. She was the daughter of the Mackintosh chief who Donald had defeated. She tried to harm baby Allan. Donald quickly stepped in and saved the young 16th chief of Clan Cameron. This was another heroic act. Because of her actions, Allan's mother was sent away from Lochaber forever.
Fighting was not just between different clans. Because Allan was so young, other family members in Clan Cameron might try to take his place as chief. Ewen Cameron of Erracht, an uncle of the 14th chief, became a suspect. So, in the 1580s, Donald's men, who were loyal to Cameron of Lochiel, fought and killed Ewan Cameron of Erracht. This battle happened at Inverlochy Castle. This helped keep the leadership of Clan Cameron with the Camerons of Lochiel.
His Lasting Impact
The fighting between the Camerons and Mackintoshes continued to be very violent. Eventually, Donald and his family had to leave their home. They found safety in Cowal. Donald's descendants settled in a place called Strath Eachaig. There, they were known as Mac-an-taillear, which means "son of the tailor."
By the 1700s, Donald's descendants used surnames like MacInTaillear, Macintaylor, Taylor, and Tayler. They still lived on the Cowal peninsula. They fondly called Donald Taillear Dubh. They called themselves Clann an Taillear Dhuibh Chamronaich, which means "Children of the Black Taylor of the Camerons."
Donald's story is remembered in the design of the Taylor sept's tartan. This tartan has double black lines. It was designed in 1955 by Lt.Col. Iain B. Cameron.
